Men's Player of the Year nominee: the case for Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo – winner last season – is on the three-man shortlist for the 2017/18 UEFA Men's Player of the Year award.

• Men's Player of the Year: the case for Modrić
• Men's Player of the Year: the case for Salah

Season in numbers

Honours: UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup

UEFA Champions League
Appearances: 13
Goals: 15
Assists: 3

Domestic league
Appearances: 27
Goals: 26

UEFA.com reporter's view: Joe Walker, Madrid

The UEFA Champions League's all-time top marksman was once again at his brilliant best last term as Madrid claimed a third successive crown. A goalscorer supreme, Ronaldo was the man for the big occasion for his club, becoming the only player in competition history to register in 11 straight UEFA Champions League games when he struck a last-minute penalty in the quarter-final second leg victory against Juventus. His legacy at Madrid will take some beating.

Top three moments
1. His performance over two legs against Juventus showcased his capabilities as: a goal poacher, a scorer of spectacular goals, and a scorer of goals under immense pressure.

2. Becoming the only player to have won the UEFA Champions League five times is some achievement.

3. The 33-year-old's hat-trick in Portugal's opening match at the FIFA World Cup finals, against Spain – the country where he had plied his trade for so long – and capped with a stunning late free-kick.

What they say

"He is tremendous. In training he is incredible. For example, if there is a penalty, he takes it with maximum concentration – and that is only in training. It is incredible."
Former Madrid coach Zinédine Zidane

"Your goals, your numbers and everything we've won together speak for themselves. You have earned a special place in the history of Real Madrid."
Madrid captain Sergio Ramos on Twitter

"I have no words. When I hear his name, I just have a gesture of admiration. He's an extraordinary person."
Madrid striker Karim Benzema